A 16-year-old boy accused of murdering a pensioner during the London riots has been refused bail at the Old Bailey. Judge Anthony Morris refused the bail application by his counsel, Abdullah al-Yunusi, and remanded him in custody to a hearing at the same court on 9 September.

The youth, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared by videolink. The half-hour hearing was held behind closed doors after the judge decided it should be held "in chambers".

The 16-year-old, from Hounslow, west London, is also charged with violent disorder and four counts of burglary relating to looting at a William Hill bookmakers, a Tesco Express, a Blockbuster video shop and a Fatboys restaurant.

He appeared at Croydon magistrates court earlier this week with his mother, who was also remanded in custody accused of perverting justice by disposing of the boy's clothing.

Richard Mannington Bowes died last Thursday after being punched to the ground during widespread violence and looting in Ealing, west London, four days before.

The 68-year-old, who lived alone in Haven Green, Ealing, was attacked as he went to put out a fire in a dustbin.

He was put on a life support machine but died later. A postmortem found he died from head injuries.